A term, in modern philosophy and theology, meaning a presence
of a being or a power in other entities which is an essential element in
the composition of such entities. In Scholastic philosophy, immanence envisions
the action or process that is both the beginning and ending with an identical
entity.

Immanence is most commonly employed in discussions of the relationship
between God and the universe. The idea of God being absolutely immanent
in the universe would certainly approach pantheism. Opposing such a concept
of pantheism is transcendence, which implies, in an absolute sense, that
God is unknowable and unconnected with the universe. Some deities are characterized
as being one or the other. One might refer to the Greek god Pan
as a pantheistic god and the Voodoo god Gran Met, the Supreme Being, as
a transcendent god.

In Christian theology attempts have been made to combing both of these
characteristics when viewing God. God is seen as immanent in His actions
toward and presence in things apart from Himself, but He is viewed as transcendent
in His essence.

Immanentists hold different views of the universe. They generally see
the universe as being self-sufficient and self-determined.

Another view is that the universe is inherently determined by qusai-mechanical
laws. Still different doctrines describe an universal substance that embodies
the principles of actions at all levels of life. Therefore, all beings are
seen to encompass each other since they come from the same substance.

When immanentists view human knowledge they stress thought content rather
than the mental reaction toward exterior objects. One view is that it is
impossible for man to know anything which exists outside of himself; a view
which implies an agnosticism in regard to a transcendent reality. An opposing
view is there is an inherent force which forces the human toward self-awareness
and self-perfection. Accordingly significant thought and action is measured
in terms of individual self-fulfillment at any particular time or stage
of life. A.G.H.

Source:(Immanence,
John T. Ford, C.S.C., The Catholic University of America) 61.